Islamabad, 3 November, 2026 (Ghufran): US President Donald Trump has announced that Washington will end its annual financial assistance of approximately $4 billion to Israel by the end of 2026, following an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Speaking during an interview with Fox News’ programme “Fox & Friends,” Trump said the two leaders had reached an understanding months ago to discontinue the funding, while maintaining that the United States would still assist Israel if necessary. Trump argued that Israel no longer needed the financial support and criticised the use of US aid to Israel as a political issue by Democratic and left-wing politicians. However, it remains unclear which specific funding programme Trump was referring to and how the proposed suspension would be implemented. The existing US-Israel Memorandum of Understanding provides Israel with $3.8 billion annually in military assistance and remains in effect until 2028. Discussions have reportedly been underway regarding the future of American assistance beyond that period. Neither the White House nor Netanyahu’s office immediately responded to requests for comment. Trump’s announcement comes amid growing criticism of US support for Israel, particularly among Democratic voters, following the war in Gaza that began in 2023. A June survey by Quinnipiac University found that 48 per cent of American voters and 66 per cent of Democrats considered Washington’s support for Israel excessive, compared with 16 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively, in 2017. Political candidates and lawmakers critical of unconditional military assistance to Israel have also gained greater prominence. Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic candidate in Michigan’s midterm elections, has opposed unconditional military aid, arguing that American financial resources should prioritise US citizens. Trump specifically referred to El-Sayed while explaining his decision, saying Israel did not need the money and that the issue was being used unfairly against his political movement. Criticism of Israel has also increased among some members of Trump’s Make America Great Again movement, particularly over the US military involvement in the conflict with Iran. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged in an October interview that Israel should prepare for a future without the substantial American financial assistance it has received for its defence budget. Under US law, Congress must approve annual appropriations to release the funding, despite existing authorisation for assistance to Israel. Trump’s announcement could therefore signal a significant shift in the longstanding US-Israel financial and military relationship.